Lead-208 is a radioactive isotope. Explain what makes the nucleus of Lead-208 so unstable

a. Show Lead-208 undergo alpha decay, THEN the product undergoes beta decay, Determine the final product



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Respuesta :

Answer:

See Explanation

Explanation:

Alpha Decay is the emission of helium nuclei (₂He⁴). That is, two protons and two neutrons are emitted. By formula equation ...

₈₂Pb²⁰⁸ => ₈₀Hg²⁰⁴ + ₂He⁴ =>  ₈₀Hg²⁰⁴ + (₂α⁴)⁺²

Note the sum of superscripts & subscripts of reactants (₈₂Pb²⁰⁸) must equal sum of superscripts & subscripts of products (₈₀Hg²⁰⁴ + ₂He⁴); that is ...

∑mass reactants = ∑mass products => 208 = 204 + 4

∑atomic no. reactants = ∑atomic no. products => 82 (Pb) = 80 (Hg) + 2 (α⁺²)

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